Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a mobile device, a signal strength corresponding to a long range wireless link established between a first directional wireless radio and a second wireless radio, the signal strength varying over time as the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio by an installer, wherein the signal strength is received by the mobile device over a short range wireless link from a short range wireless radio associated with the first directional wireless radio; producing, by the mobile device, a sound indicator indicative of the signal strength, wherein the sound indicator varies over time as the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio by the installer, further wherein the sound indicator is a tone that varies in frequency; and outputting a constant tone at a frequency while at a same time outputting the sound indicator, the constant tone representing an optimal signal strength, the constant tone and the tone converging at the same frequency when the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio.
A mobile app helps align directional wireless radios. The app receives the signal strength between two radios via a short-range wireless link. The signal strength changes as the user aligns the first radio. The app outputs a tone that changes frequency based on signal strength, providing audio feedback to the user during alignment. Additionally, a constant tone representing the optimal signal strength is played simultaneously, allowing the user to align the radios by converging the varying tone with the constant tone.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises a tone with variable volume.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description uses a tone whose volume changes based on the signal strength, indicating the signal strength to the installer. The volume increases as the radio is closer to optimal alignment.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises a tone with variable frequency.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description uses a tone whose frequency changes based on the signal strength, indicating the signal strength to the installer. The frequency increases as the radio is closer to optimal alignment.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises a natural language output that includes a verbalized representation of the signal strength compared with an optimal signal strength value.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description speaks the signal strength compared to the optimal signal strength value. For example, the app might say "Signal strength is 80%, approaching optimal." This gives verbal feedback during radio alignment.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: storing an optimal signal strength value, wherein the optimal signal strength value comprises an expected signal strength when the first directional wireless radio and the second wireless radio are substantially in optimal alignment with one another; comparing the optimal signal strength value to the signal strength; and outputting either a convergence tone or a divergence tone based on the comparison, wherein the convergence tone is utilized when a difference between the optimal signal strength value and the signal strength is decreasing, further wherein the divergence tone is utilized when a difference between the optimal signal strength value and the signal strength is increasing.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description stores an optimal signal strength, which is the expected signal strength when the radios are properly aligned. The app compares the current signal strength to this optimal value. It then plays a "convergence" tone if the signal strength is getting closer to the optimal value or a "divergence" tone if it's moving further away. This helps the user know if they are moving the radio in the right direction.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises an alignment sound when the first directional wireless radio and the second wireless radio are in alignment with one another.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description plays a specific "alignment sound" when the two radios are in optimal alignment, signaling to the user that the alignment is complete.
7. A method, comprising: executing an audible alignment application by a single installer using a mobile device, the audible alignment application being stored in memory and executable by a processor of the mobile device; and aligning a first directional wireless radio with a second wireless radio by: bringing the mobile device in proximity to the first directional wireless radio; receiving a signal strength corresponding to a long range wireless link established between the first directional wireless radio and the second wireless radio, the signal strength varying over time as the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio by the single installer; and producing a sound indicator indicative of the signal strength, wherein the sound indicator varies over time as the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio by the single installer, further wherein the sound indicator is a tone that varies in frequency, and the method further comprises outputting a constant tone at a frequency while at a same time outputting the sound indicator, the constant tone representing an optimal signal strength, the constant tone and the tone converging at the same frequency when the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio.
A mobile app assists a single installer in aligning directional wireless radios. The installer brings their mobile device near the radio being aligned. The app receives the signal strength of the long-range wireless link. The signal strength changes as the installer adjusts the radio. The app outputs a tone that changes frequency based on the signal strength. Additionally, the app plays a constant tone that represents optimal signal strength. The installer aligns the radio by converging the varying tone with the constant tone.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises a tone with variable volume.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description uses a tone whose volume changes based on the signal strength, indicating the signal strength to the installer.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises a natural language output that includes a verbalized representation of the signal strength compared with an optimal signal strength value.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description uses a tone whose volume changes based on the signal strength, and also speaks the signal strength compared to the optimal signal strength value.
10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising: storing an optimal signal strength value, wherein the optimal signal strength value comprises an expected signal strength when the first directional wireless radio and the second wireless radio are substantially in optimal alignment with one another; and outputting the optimal signal strength value prior to, or in combination with, receiving the signal strength to aid the single installer in knowing the optimal signal strength value.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description stores an optimal signal strength and presents it to the installer before or during the alignment process. This allows the installer to know what the target signal strength should be.
11. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising calculating the optimal signal strength value using a conductive transmit power level, a transmit radio gain, a receive radio gain, as well as a free space path loss between the first directional wireless radio and the second wireless radio.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description calculates the optimal signal strength using factors like transmit power, radio gain, and free-space path loss between the radios. This calculated value is then used as the target for alignment.
12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising refining the optimal signal strength value using any of atmospheric attenuation, cable losses, and line-of-sight obstacle attenuation.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description calculates the optimal signal strength and refines it, taking into account atmospheric attenuation, cable losses, and line-of-sight obstacles. This provides a more accurate target signal strength for alignment.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises an alignment sound when the first directional wireless radio and the second wireless radio are in alignment with one another.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description plays a specific "alignment sound" when the two radios are in optimal alignment, signaling to the user that the alignment is complete.
14. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the varying sound indicator comprises a tone with variable frequency.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description uses a tone whose frequency changes based on the signal strength, indicating the signal strength to the installer.
15. A non-transitory computer readable storage media having a program embodied thereon, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method, comprising: coupling a mobile device with a first directional wireless radio using a wireless communication protocol; receiving a signal strength corresponding to a long range wireless link established between the first directional wireless radio and a second wireless radio, the signal strength varying over time as the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio by an installer; producing a sound indicator indicative of a comparison of the signal strength to an optimal signal strength value that aids in alignment of the first directional wireless radio and the second wireless radio, further wherein the sound indicator is a tone that varies in frequency; and outputting a constant tone at a frequency while at a same time outputting the sound indicator, the constant tone representing an optimal signal strength, the constant tone and the tone converging at the same frequency when the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio.
A mobile app stored on computer-readable media helps align directional radios. The app connects to the radio being aligned. It receives a signal strength reading from the long-range link. The app generates a tone that changes frequency based on the difference between current and optimal signal strengths, assisting in alignment. The app outputs a constant tone representing the optimal signal strength at the same time as the varying tone, aiding in alignment by converging the two tones.
16. The non-transitory computer readable storage media according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises receiving a spoken request from a single installer, the spoken request comprising a request for a signal strength reading, wherein the varying sound indicator is output after the spoken request is received.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description accepts voice commands. The app only outputs the audio indicator after receiving a spoken request, such as "signal strength".
17. The non-transitory computer readable storage media according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises storing values for the signal strength in a log for further analysis.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description stores the signal strength values in a log file. This log can be used for later analysis or troubleshooting.
18. The non-transitory computer readable storage media according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises receiving the signal strength on a band that is different than a primary band used for transmitting a primary signal carrier.
The mobile app from the previous radio alignment description receives the signal strength on a different frequency band than the main communication channel.
19. A system, comprising: a first directional wireless radio; and a mobile device that is communicatively coupled with the first directional wireless radio, wherein the mobile device is configured to: measure a location and signal strength of the first directional wireless radio relative to a second wireless radio, in a plurality of radio positions; determine an optimal radio position from the plurality of radio positions; output a varying sound signal that aids an installer in bringing the first directional wireless radio into alignment with the second wireless radio, the varying sound signal based on a comparison of the signal strength to an optimal signal strength value, further wherein the varying sound signal is a tone that varies in frequency; and output a constant tone at a frequency while at a same time outputting the varying sound signal, the constant tone representing an optimal signal strength, the constant tone and the tone converging at the same frequency when the first directional wireless radio is aligned with the second wireless radio.
A system for aligning directional wireless radios includes a first radio and a mobile device. The mobile device measures the location and signal strength of the first radio relative to the second radio in multiple positions. It determines the optimal radio position and outputs a tone that varies in frequency based on the difference between current and optimal signal strengths to assist with alignment. The mobile device also outputs a constant tone representing the optimal signal strength concurrently with the varying tone, enabling the user to align the radios by converging the two tones.
20. The system according to claim 19 , further comprising a short range wireless antenna that communicatively couples the mobile device with the first directional wireless radio over a short range wireless link.
The radio alignment system from the previous description uses a short-range wireless antenna to connect the mobile device to the first radio, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Unknown
October 3, 2017
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